Whether you call this a gluten free meatball sub or, as we New Englanders like to say, a gluten free meatball grinder, one thing is for sure…this delicious, savory meatball recipe will make an awesome meal!

A meatball sub with a bite taken out.

One of the things I love most about this recipe is the flavor. Whether you make homemade gluten free meatballs or you use frozen meatballs, the meatballs are slowly cooked in a tomato sauce. This infuses the sauce flavor into your meatballs, making them tender and perfect for a gluten free submarine sandwich!

For this gluten free meatball sub recipe, you can use homemade gluten free meatballs or gluten free frozen meatballs. Here are some of my favorite gluten free homemade pasta sauces and my favorite gluten free jarred sauces.

This recipe is great to make either on a stovetop or in your slow cooker. If you are looking for even more great dinner ideas, I have a ton of kid-approved family gluten free dinner recipes for you to browse!

Allergen Information:

This recipe is gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free. Use dairy-free parmesan cheese like the VioLife brand if you are dairy-free.

A front view of the meatball sub on a plate.

Are you ready to give this recipe a try? You will love all of the options to customize this recipe based on the ingredients you have on hand.

Ingredient Notes:

  • Gluten free meatballs – I include a list of recipes and gluten free store-bought options below.
  • Sauce – Use a homemade sauce or store-bought pasta sauce. I list these below.
  • Gluten free baguette – I like Schar baguettes best. Heat them in the oven so they get crisp!

Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:

Meatballs cooking in a slow cooker.

Grab or make your favorite sauce. Please choose how you want to cook these, add either raw or frozen meatballs, and cover them with sauce.

See below for gluten free meatball recipes and gluten free sauce recipes!

Stovetop Method:

  1. Add the homemade or jarred sauce to a large pot to cook the meatballs in sauce on your stovetop.
  2. Add in the raw or frozen meatballs.
  3. Cover and bring to a boil.
  4. Turn the heat down to simmer and allow to cook for 45 minutes. Cooking this with low heat allows the flavors to penetrate the meatballs more.
Top Pick
Crockpot 8 Quart Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting and Cookbook, Black Stainless Steel

This is the slow cooker I own. I bought it a couple of years ago, and it is still going strong! This Crock Pot can hold a whole 3-pound chicken and does a great job cooking!

Pros:
  • Holds a lot of food
  • Easy cleanup
  • Cooks evenly
Cons:
  • It doesn't have an auto-switch from high to low temp
Buy Now
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Slow Cooker Method:

  1. Add your sauce and meatballs to a slow cooker.
  2. Cover and turn on high and cook for 3-4 hours, or cook on low for 5-6 hours.

Homemade Pasta Sauces:

What jarred pasta sauces are gluten free?

While most tomato-based pasta sauces are naturally gluten free, every now and then, I am surprised, so always read the labels to ensure the pasta sauce you choose is gluten free. My favorite gluten free jarred sauces are:

  • Mezzetta
  • Prego
  • Barilla
  • Newman’s Own
  • Rao’s

What brands of frozen meatballs are gluten free?

There are several great gluten free brands of frozen meatballs. When I am in a hurry, frozen meatballs can save the day!! Here are some of my favorites:

  • Aidelles makes gluten free meatballs in several flavors.
  • Rosina makes one flavor of gluten free meatballs.
  • Colameco makes wonderful gluten free meatballs. I found them at Whole Foods.

What are some good gluten free meatball recipes?

Tips and Recipe FAQ:

What gluten free baguette did you use

I used a gluten-free baguette by Against All Grain for this recipe. It was in the frozen section of my grocery store. You can also use Schar Baguettes in shelf-stable packaging in your grocery store’s bread or gluten-free section.

How do you store leftover meatballs?

These meatballs should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 3 days.

Can you freeze these gluten free meatballs?

You can freeze the meatballs, but I wouldn’t freeze the meatball sub because the bread will get too soggy.

A meatball sub with a bite taken out.

Gluten Free Sub

Sandi Gaertner
A gluten free meatball sub sandwich, aka meatball grinder.
5 from 4 votes
gluten free allergy icon
nut free allergen icon
soy free allergy icon
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Gluten Free Dinner Recipes, Meal Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 377 kcal

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound gluten free meatballs frozen or raw made from scratch
  • 32 ounces pasta sauce about 2 jars
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil
  • gluten free baguette

Instructions
 

  • Stovetop method: In a large pot, add the sauce and either raw or frozen meatballs. Mix gently to cover the meatballs in sauce. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer and allow to slowly cook for 45 minutes.
  • Slow cooker method: Add the sauce and meatballs to a slow cooker. Mix gently to cover the meatballs in sauce. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
  • Take a gluten free baguette and slice down the length of the bagette. Cut it into 3 pieces keeping the tops and bottoms together.
  • Fill each piece of baguette with 3 meatballs. Top with extra sauce, parmesan cheese, and sprinkle fresh basil on top.
  • Optional: add a slice of mozzarella cheese to each sub on top of the meatalls. Cook under a broiler for 2 minutes to melt the cheese.

Notes

1. You can use fresh raw homemade meatballs, or store-bought frozen meatballs. Just make sure the package indicates they are gluten free.
2. Use homemade pasta sauce, or use your favorite gluten free jarred sauce.
3. My favorite gluten free baguettes are Against All Grain (in the freezer section at your grocery store) or Schar (on the shelf in either a gluten free section or in the bread section depending on the store.)

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 377kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 24gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 1352mgPotassium: 1083mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1065IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 3mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

This recipe was updated from an older June 2020 post with more recipe details.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Thanks for this great GF meal idea! We are always on the lookout for new delicious ideas that comply with our dietary requirements. Nom nom.